Ginger's Winter ONEderland!

Our little Ginger Lauren turned 1 on January 13th, 2010 and that was probably the fastest year of my life! Maybe it is because you are watching a baby grow, but in some ways each day felt like a year (in that she would wake up from overnight and be a new child) and yet it went so fast that I am thankful I took so many pictures!

Her 1st birthday party was held yesterday, and was a perfect celebration with friends, family, food, drinks, and great spirits. Ginger is a full-blown walker now- she rarely crawled at the party, preferring to walk circles around our house chatting and laughing with everyone.

One of my favorite moments was when we sang Happy Birthday to her. I know, so cliche, but in that moment, I am singing to her and looking into her eyes, and I see her looking around at everyone focused and singing to her, and she got it. She smiled, looked absolutely beautiful, and humbly enjoyed the spotlight. I didn't really think that she would even pay attention in this moment, especially with a smash cake in front of her, but she did. She loved it.

Here are pictures from the afternoon!

Anticipation...

our little girl is standing...and cautiously taking a step or two at a time. Not so cautiously when she see's mommy or daddy, though, if we're sitting nearby Ginger will let go of the table/couch/etc and almost step then LEAP into our laps. Every day she is taking it just an inch further. Yesterday she was pushing one little buggy she has, and then stepped 5 steps to her other buggy, circled around to the back, and walked in the other direction with that one. We were in SHOCK!

I am hopelessly in love with this little girl. Ginger has touched us in such a special way, and yet I'm sure this isn't unique for just me. Other moms are experiencing this as well, and I'm sure it only gets better. I can't imagine if that is possible- truthfully!